February 25th session

It looks like a great day for our last session of the year. Be sure to allow plenty of time so you can navigate the crowds and check in around 12:30. Ski groups depart at 12:45.

We will be in touch with information regarding the day/times to return your rental equipment, but we encourage you to keep the gear until then so you can keep on skiing!

February 18th session

Our ski session will be held at Lebanon Hills on Sunday February 18. Conditions are poor but skiable.

Please remember to try and check in by 12:30 so your skier is ready to leave promptly at 12:45. In recent weeks we have had numerous skiers arriving late and as a result they miss skiing with their group. In addition to frustrating the skier, this places an unnecessary burden on our volunteers as they try to help latecomers connect with their group. Although we will do our best to get late arrivals out skiing, please be aware that we won’t always be able to make that happen.

To help with being ready on time, remember to take the weather into account. A warm day with bright sunshine means the parking lot will be full and getting to the check-in tent will take more time than usual.

Thanks for your consideration and we look forward to seeing your skier(s) this week!

February 11th session

It looks like there will be bright sunshine for our skiing at Lebanon Hills on Sunday, Feb 11. Come out and enjoy!

February 4th session

It looks like we should have a beautiful, sunshine filled day for our session on Sunday. Although it will be cold, part of learning to ski is learning to dress for the weather. See the helpful tips below for guidance on how to help your skier have an enjoyable experience on Sunday and we’ll see you then!

TIPS TO HELP KEEP SKIERS WARM

- Skiers should be dressed in layers. A moisture wicking under layer, an insulating layer, and a windproof outer layer are typically appropriate. Each layer should be breathable. For extra cold days add an additional layer.

- Make sure your skier is wearing a hat, insulated & waterproof gloves, and warm socks. Sometimes a wearing a thin layer of gloves under the insulated gloves works well.

-Wool socks are the best choice for cross-country skiing.

- Nordic buffs are also very helpful. Google “Nordic buffs” to see examples if you aren’t familiar with this neckwear/headwear.

- Try avoid cotton because it has little insulation capabilities and once it gets wet, it stays wet (either through sweat or falling in the snow) and can create an uncomfortable experience.

January 28th session

Update: The groomer has been out so conditions should be decent. Hope to see you there!

We will be back at Lebanon Hills on Sunday, January 28th. Although the wonderful conditions from earlier in the week have deteriorated into icy ruts, we'll make the best of what we have. Grooming of the trails is scheduled for Sunday morning, and if they can finish it up before we arrive it should be a great day!

Upcoming January 21st session

Due to un-skiable conditions at Lebanon Hills, the MYSL Lebanon Hills club will have a location and time change for Sunday, January 21st. We will move to the Hyland Park Reserve in Bloomington (10145 Bush Lake Rd, Bloomington, MN 55438) where they have snowmaking equipment and will meet from 11:45 to 1:00. (PLAN TO ARRIVE BY 11:30) We apologize for having to meet at the earlier time but it is the only availability for group skiing on Sundays.

This will be a great opportunity for the skiers to have an opportunity to ski on groomed snow and ski in the tracks.

There are a couple of things to be aware of at Hyland:

A trail pass must be purchased for anyone 12 years of age or older. Passes ($9.50 + tax) can be purchased at the main Visitor Center. Please plan your time accordingly if you need to purchase a trail pass. Note that our group will NOT be meeting at the main Visitor Center so if you have to buy a pass you will need to make a separate stop here.

Our group will meet at the building called Jan’s Place which is in the first parking lot past the Visitor Center.

Hyland does not allow any walking on or alongside the trails, so those of you with younger skiers will not be able to accompany your skier unless you are on skis.

IMPORTANT - There will likely be other Minnesota Youth Ski League groups meeting there at the same time, so be sure to look for the familiar faces and signage for the LEBANON HILLS club. If you have trouble finding us call Dave Freed at 612-760-0771.

When there is no natural snow, Hyland can become quite crowded and parking can be scarce. If you have friends in the program, you might consider carpooling.

Check the map elsewhere on this webpage for additional details on where to meet at Hyland.

January 14th 2018

With Thursday's snowfall we have enough coverage to ski at Lebanon Hills again. Arrive by 12:30; ready to ski at 12:45. See you then!

January 7th 2018

Welcome to the 2018 EVAA Cross-Country Skiing season! Our first session is tomorrow, Sunday, Jan 7th, from 12:45 -2:00 at Lebanon Hills. The address is 860 Cliff Road, Eagan, MN 55123. The trail conditions are poor and there has not been enough snow for the grooming equipment to lay tracks. Although this will make the skiing more challenging, we can also ski and play games on the lake so we determined that meeting at Lebanon Hills is a better alternative then moving to our back-up location in Bloomington. Also, because of the poor snow conditions Lebanon Hills will NOT BE RENTING EQUIPMENT. If this leaves you without skis contact the Program Director for suggestions.

As you prepare for our first session, we wanted to provide the following helpful hints for week 1:

1. Meeting Place: Our meeting area will be at the tent behind the visitor center near the lake. To get there from the parking lot, go between the Visitor Center and the rental equipment building where you will find the tent. There you can pick up the Minnesota Youth Ski League bib with your skier’s name, and then proceed to the meeting area for your skier’s group. You can determine where to meet based on the color of your skier’s nametag.

2. Start Time: To minimize the amount of time skiers stand around getting cold, we try to release them with their leaders onto the trails promptly at 12:45. To make sure they are ready to ski at 12:45, we suggest you allow at least 10 minutes for skiers to get their bib, put on their skis, and get to their meeting area. That means it is probably wise to be in exiting your vehicle in the parking lot at 12:30; earlier if you have multiple skiers to corral. Latecomers will need to wait for their group to return; we can’t have skiers heading off on their own to try and find their group unless they are with a parent.

3. Label Your Equipment: Please be sure to label your skis and poles with your child’s name. Colorful duct tape works well for this process. Many youth skis are the same brand and size and they are easy to mix up.

4. Visitor Center: Although you are welcome to use the Visitor Center to have your skier change into ski boots, we’ve found that it is best if skiers put their boots on at home or in the car to minimize congestion in the building and to help them be ready to ski at 12:45. Please do not bring skis or poles into the Visitor Center. There are ski racks outside the building to use. Some may be reserved for MYSL use, so feel free to use those if you see them.

5. Patience: We have over 70 skiers signed up for our session, so when combined with parents we will have quite a crowd. All of our coaches and leaders are volunteers who are donating their time to help make this a good experience for your skier. Please be patient as our volunteers do their best to get organized this first week, and remember that your child’s group leader may also be working with his/her own child to get equipment on, viist the restroom, or handling the many other needs that spontaneously arise with children.

6. Skier Group Assignments: We do our best to place skiers in a group that is the best fit for them. If you find that your child’s assigned group does not seem to be a good fit, please let one of our volunteers or coaches know and we’ll attempt to adjust for future sessions.

7. Parent Skiers: You are welcome and encouraged to ski with your child’s group as a “Ski Chaperone”. Just let the group leader know, and if you can assist with any issues such as dropped mittens, loose boots, etc. while skiing along that would be appreciated. Please be aware that all adult skiers who are not coaching will need a trail pass, so please factor this into your schedule since that could take a few minutes depending on the line. Cost at Lebanon Hills is $5 per day or a season pass for $20.

8. On Site Rentals: As mentioned, due to the poor snow conditions the Lebanon Hills equipment rental service will be closed on Sunday, January 7. if you are renting skis at Lebanon Hills in the future, as you come down the sidewalk the rental building will be on your left. Ask for the MYSL rate, which is valid for both youth skiers and their parents or guardians. Remember to arrive even earlier to allow for the time it takes to go through the rental process

9. End of Session: At the end of the session, skiers should remember to a) return their bibs to the group leader or to the tent; and b) thank their group leader and any assistants. Dakota County sells hot chocolate and has other drinks available in the Visitor Center, and many skiers find it enjoyable to get a hot chocolate drink after their session. Last year the cost was $1.

Please be aware that we will not necessarily send reminder emails to you for upcoming sessions, so it is always wise to check the club webpage for any announcements. In addition, there is a facebook page and twitter account that will enable you to stay abreast of club announcements and information.

· Twitter: @mysl_leb_hills

· Facebook: MYSL Lebanon Hills

Thanks, and we are looking forward to a fun, snow-filled season. If you have any questions, it is best to email them now rather than waiting to ask in person when we’re trying to get the skiers in their groups and out on their skis.

Welcome to the 2018 Lebanon Hills Youth Ski Club!

Our club was formed to help children from age 4-15 in the Rosemount/Eagan/Apple Valley area learn to love the life-long sport of cross-country skiing. The low registration fee and absence of attendence requirements make this a great way to for younger skiers to experience the sport for the first time while also allowing older athletes to stay in shape and cross-train for soccer, swimming, track, cross-country running, lacrosse, and other sports. Because of the grooming policy at our venue, with the Lebanon Hills Ski Club the ski sessions are designed for "classic" style skiing rather than "skate" style skiing. However, we will attempt to schedule some skate ski instruction as well if there is enough interest and skiiers have the proper skate ski equipment.

Schedule, location, and trail passes

Our first meeting date for the 2017 ski season will be Sunday, Jan 7. Our "home course" is Lebanon Hills Park in Eagan, at the location with the Visitor Center at 860 Cliff Road, Eagan, MN 55123. We will meet from 12:45 - 2:00 PM for eight weeks in January and February. If snow coverage is not adequate at Lebanon Hills, our sessions will be held at Hyland Recreation Area in Bloomington from 11:45 - 1:00 PM.

Our last session of the season is scheduled for Sunday, Feb 25, with members encouraged to add the Midwest Junior Ski Festival to your calendar the weekend of of March 3/4 at Wirth Park in Minneapolis.

Youth skiers under age 18 will not need a trail pass at Lebanon Hills. Adult skiers will need to purchase a either a daily pass for $5 or a season pass for $20. If we need to move to Hyland recreation area due to poor trail conditions at Lebanon Hills, ALL skiers will need a pass which is $9 per session.

Registration

Registration is handled on-line by clicking on the "Register Today" link on the MYSL home page. Equipment rental fees (see equipment section below) can also be paid online. If your skier already has equipment, be sure they are "classic" style skis. If your skier has "skate" style skis, contact the club leader to determine if we will have access to the proper venue and coaching to support skate skiing.

Weather and cancellation policy

We will not ski if the air temperature is below -10˚ F, or the wind chill is below -30˚ F, or at the leader's discretion. Cancellations will be posted on this web page in the "Announcements" section above.

Gear

1. Please use your discretion noting your child's activity level and the outside temperature/wind chill. Often a winter jacket and snow pants or a snowsuit are too warm once the child gets skiing. They will warm up quickly, so it is okay if they are a little bit cold to begin with.

2. Children should be dressed in layers. A moisture wicking under layer, an insulating layer, and a windproof layer are typically appropriate. Each layer should be breathable.

3. Make sure to dress your child in a waterproof and windproof outermost layer. Cross-country skiing often requires hard work and skiers may sometimes fall down. Without a waterproof layer, the child could get wet from falling down, which makes for a cold and uncomfortable session.

4. Make sure your skier is wearing a hat, insulated & waterproof gloves, and warm socks. Wool socks are the best choice for cross-country skiing.

6. Try avoid cotton because it has little insulation capabilities and once it gets wet, it stays wet and can create a miserable experience.

7. Pay attention to the weather. On colder days, more layers are appropriate. If it is warmer out, do not overdress your child. It is never fun to be too hot or to have to carry around layers.

Equipment

We have a limited number of rental ski equipment for skiers to use for for the full season for the low price of $35. This equipment can be taken home and used for family outings or other skiing events. REGISTER EARLY TO TAKE ADVANTAGE OF THIS FANTASTIC RENTAL OPPORTUNITY!! Please remember we have a limited number of ski packages and sizes. If you pay for rental equipment on-line but are not able to be outfitted, you will be reimbursed for the fees. Our rental skis are classic no-wax skis.

If we don't have sizes for your skier, or if all club ski equipment is rented, ski equipment can be rented for daily use at Lebanon Hills, with the fee expected to be approximately $6 per session.

Volunteering

This is a volunteer run club. The success and affordability of this program comes directly from your contributions of time, energy, and talent. By registering your child for this club, you are committing to the club's success and are agreeing to volunteer. Level 1 skiers will need to be accompanied by a parent. Coaching at level 1 is a great way to accompany your child. Please consider coaching as it is our number one need! You do not necessarily need to coach at your child's level....in fact it is often better if you don't. If you are able to help coach "on snow", we will provide instructional information for each session and discuss training opportunities to learn more about proven coaching techniques and drills.

If you aren't comfortable coaching on skis, there are many other ways in which you can volunteer, including:

Assistant Coaching: Sometimes we just need someone to provide encouragment, a smile, and support on the snow. This is a great way to be involved and enjoy watching kids learn.

Ski Chaperone: Do you want to get out on your skis but aren't yet confident enough to coach? Volunteer as a ski chaperone to do things like helping to make sure the group stays together, assisting skiers with putting their mittens back on, picking up hats that fall out of pockets, and providing general assistance to the Coach and Assistant Coach.

Bib coordinator - To help identify the skiers as part of the club, they wear "race bibs" during the sessions. We need someone to make color coordinated level cards with skiers name and insert them in bib pockets, recording bib number with child's name, and collecting bibs at session's end.

Race Coordinator - Make other club members aware of available racing events for the kids, and coordinate the group at the race location. (Note: Races are optional opportunities not part of the standard club fees)